A Sideman’s Journey

At the suggestion of Don Nix, famed artist, musician and record producer Klaus Voormann traveled to Ardent to do some tracking and mixing for his forthcoming project titled A Sideman’s Journey. Artists and songs selected for the project are all people that Voormann has worked with over the years. Ardent’s own Jason Latshaw engineered the project and Memphis players brought in include Rick Steff/keyboards, Joel Williams/drums, Steve Potts/drums, Susan Marshall/bgv and Jackie Johnson/bgv. Bonnie Bramlett duets with Nix on Mockingbird, David Hood (bass) of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Kelvin Holly from Little Richard’s band, John Fohl/guitar all added their bit of magic to the project as well.

Tracks recorded here at Ardent include “My Sweet Lord,” “Imagine,” “Mockingbird” and a Voormann original “So Far.” The roster of players that contributed tracks recorded outside of Ardent is impressive, to say the least: Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, Carly Simon, Dr John, and James Keltner, just to name a few.

Don Nix (Stax artist, producer and writer) and Voormann’s friendship goes back to the ’70s. In addition to his voca contributions, Nix helped put the players, studio and engineer together. Initially scheduled to just track several songs here, Voormann decided to complete overdubs and mixing here too.

Proceeds from the record will go to benefit the Lakota Sioux Sacred Wilderness Environment and Health Project. You can read more about the worthy cause at http://lakota-village.de/.